The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services is rolling out a new tiered foster care program designed to train foster families to better care for children.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the agency has begun accepting applications from providers for its therapeutic foster care program.
The program will include three tiers that children with severe needs will be placed in. Tier 1 will include families with the same level of training, reimbursement and supports that the agency currently provides. Tiers 2 and 3 will include families with more advanced training to care for children with disabilities or severe behavioral issues.
Linda Watts, deputy commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Children and Families, says the program can help match foster homes with the needs of children.